jimp2001

I was driving home from my parents place today... saw a Camaro for sale, and locked up my brakes as usual, haha!

This time it was worth stopping for. 1989 Camaro RS Hard Top, Dark Red with Dark Red Interior, 305TBI. 45k Original Miles, Original Owner. Power Locks/Windows, working A/C, Brand new Tires (stickers still on tread) Paint is heavily faded. THERE WAS NOT PIT OF RUST ANYWHERE ON OR UNDER THE CAR, I was totally amazed! What amazed me more was the price on the car... $3000/neg. All I have to say is thank *** I was the first to stop and check it out. I offered the guy $2500 for it, he said $2750 and it's mine. I gave him a $50 deposit and I'm picking up the car on monday!

Now on to all that good stuff... I want to make this thing have some ***** when I step on it. I have no clue of how TBI works, have never looked at the setup, and have never thought of buying a TBI car until today.

I want to get the hooker (non EGR) headers, Y-Pipe, Catco Hi-Flow Cat, and Hooker Cat-Back System.

What would be the next most logical upgrades to increase performance in my new ride without burning a serious hole in my pocket?

MikeDirntRulez

Oh wow.

45k for only $2750?

You got a SMOKIN' DEAL. Good gravy, good thing you stopped!!

First thing you MUST do is make sure it's in proper running order (plugs, wires, cap, etc.) Then you should do an open element.

I'll beat Shifty to it, go ahead and do yourself a favor and look in the "New to TBI? Check this out!" thread at the top of the TBI forum, it will tell you everything you need to know and everything anybody in this thread would tell you

Good luck my friend!

jimp2001

Thanks

weberflorida

iTrader: (2)

Dude that is a great deal man. Congrats!!! What do you have planned for this one?

jimp2001

I'm picking up the car on thursday (the owner is a truck driver and wont be home until then... i left a deposit)

I just ordered SLP 1 3/4 headers, 3" Hi-Flo Cat, and the SLP exaust that has dual exit on the drivers side. I'm just gonna buy an open element filter for now... bigger mods later on.

The car has those horrible 15" wheels, which are the next to go. I'm saving my pennies for a set of Ronal R15 17" reproduction Firehawk wheels color matched to the car. I'm going to Lower the front 2" drop spindles and the rear 1.5". KYB Shocks and struts, as well as all of the hotchkis suspension parts

As far as paint... I would like yo do a candy brandy wine... but my last car was candy cobalt blue, and to match the color was horrible... I think I'm just going to paint her the factory color with some dupont chroma paint, and possibly do the GFX and spoiler silver like my old '89 that i had to sell last summer.

Heres the old '89:

GOY

The two best things that I did to my TBI vehicle Fuel Pressure and Timing. After doing the Fuel Pressure mod, I will forever suggest that be the second mod - after an open element. Of course, I haven't even done the O/E yet so..... The F/P is free

While you're saving up, try an injector spacer and TB spacer from Ebay.... It's only like $40 for the whole thing, just skip going out to eat with your girl once and do that. I'm sure she'll understand

Definately read all the stickies! Great buy by the way!

jimp2001

have you tried the 55# injectors, and a 50mm TB? Theres a guy selling a crapload of rebuilt anf bored out TBI parts on ebay, and he doesn't have 1 bad feedback. Just wondering if those pasts would make a big difference, especially with the fuel pressure and open element. For the open element, I'm going to get one of those K&N X-Stream setups, and before the car is painted, I want to buy an "SS" style hood.

I'm so excited over the fact that I got such a nice, low mileage camaro, I have been searching for years! I feel like a little kid on christmas, haha!

jimp2001

picked up the new ride today... heres a pic:

GOY

Some small body/paint stuff to do from that side, but that is certainly nothing to be ashamed of for the money/mileage!

I still think it's a good buy!

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

That car is perfect for the money.

jimp2001

that pic is the bad side, the other side is just clearcoat peeling, and you can practically eat off the underbody it's so clean

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

Good old Van Nuys paint. Don't worry about how she looks. That is agreat starting platform for power and fun.

weberflorida

iTrader: (2)

Dude wish I got that deal. Right on with the open element and exhaust. Good mods. Does the fuel pressure really help alot?

Bill

jimp2001

OK so today I decided to by a Mr. Gasket Cheap-o NONDROP Open element just because I went to buy a cap, rotor, plugs, and wires... and it happened to be right in front of me.

I installed the IAT sensor in the bottom tray by drilling a hole with my uni-bit. looks factory to me

I left the spacer on because its not a tall filter.. the bottom tray clears the coil by 2 inches.

I did the cap and rotor, hit the engine compartment with some simple green and my air hose powerwasher attachment, hosed it down... de-gunked the TB with some carb cleaner... After doing the first 2 plugs my back was completely shot, and my hands are just too big to get past those darn AIR pipes I just left it alone for another day...

I took some more pics of the car, and as soon as I put it up on a lift, I'll take some of the underbody.

Heres the new pics: CLICK HERE (56k beware)

v8nate92RS

Great deal man! I thought my deal was good when I got my 68K original mile 1992 RS Hard Top 5speed L03 for $3700 off Ebay! Your car looks a lot cleaner than mine was when I got it too! Have fun bro!

Benm109

Yeah, that car looks great for the price. Good find. That air cleaner looks very familiar, just wait until you get a taller air filter and can take that spacer ring off.
Since your car still has AIR, attack the spark plugs from below. It makes it alot easier, especially on the rearmost plugs.